Superstars

Superstars is an all-around sportsman and sportswoman competition that pits elite athletes from different sports against one another in a series of athletic challenges resembling a decathlon. Television broadcasts of the competitions were popular both in Europe and North America in the 1970s and 80s.

Related Topics:
Decathlon - Europe - North America - 1970s - 80s

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Competitors participate in 10 different sporting events, including a 100-yard dash, half-mile run, obstacle course race, weightlifting, football (soccer), rowing, tennis, bicycle racing, gym test, and swimming. (The sports used have varied somewhat between the European and American competitions and over the years.) Points are awarded for the position the competitor places in the competition standings. The competitor with the most points at the end of a competition is declared the champion. In addition, prize money is awarded to the top finishers.

Related Topics:
Weightlifting - Football (soccer) - Rowing - Tennis - Bicycle racing - Swimming

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One of the most successful European competitors was Ivo van Damme, a middle-distance runner who was tragically killed in a road accident in 1977. British competitors included Brian Jacks (judo), James Hunt (racing driver), John Sherwood (track), and Jonah Barrington (squash).

Related Topics:
Ivo van Damme - 1977 - Brian Jacks - Judo - James Hunt - Racing driver - John Sherwood - Track - Jonah Barrington - Squash

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One of the most famous moments (from a British point of view) was when star footballer Kevin Keegan won one of the events despite injuring himself falling off his bike during the cycling event.

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The programme had a spin-off called The Superteams in which one memorable moment was when British athlete Gary Cook played goalkeeper in the six-a-side hockey contest without wearing a helmet and ran out of the D circle and tackled an opposition player.

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Canadian soccer player Brian Budd won the "World Superstars" competition, pitting Superstars champions from Europe and North America, three times in a row (1978, 1979, and 1980).

Related Topics:
Brian Budd - 1978 - 1979 - 1980

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